Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources

Little Bear feels the world around him. All around him he hears the familiar refrain: “Can bears ski?” Then Dad Bear takes him to see an audiologist and they learn that Little Bear has been experiencing deafness. With new hearing aids, he discovers that “Can bears ski?” is actually “Can you hear me?” His new world is loud and will take some getting used to, but with the love and support of Dad Bear, Little Bear will find his way.

This book is helpful for parents looking to learn the different options for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. It contains information ranging from tests to cochlear implants and other hearing devices. This book also offers unbiased information on communication options like: Auditory-Verbal, ASL-English Bilingual, Cued Speech, Auditory-Oral, and Total Communication. 

This book is helpful for early intervention professionals working with deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, by learning how to use interdisciplinary and collaborative programs to aid in communication, language and cognitive development.

This book is helpful for parents who are curious about the science behind hearing impairments and language acquisition. The author uses her own life experiences with being a parent to a child with hearing loss and how to understand the connections between sound, language, and learning by interviewing professionals in the field and Deaf leaders. 

This book is helpful for early intervention and education professionals. It includes information on audiological assessments and technological interventions, family-centered interventions, auditory-verbal therapy, and sign language. This book also gives strategies and advice for promoting social and academic success. 

This book is a stand-alone companion to Show Me a Sign, and a searing exposé of ableism, racism, and colonialism that will challenge you to think differently about the dignity and capacity within every human being.

This book is helpful for early education professionals with teaching children how to sign through the use of music and play. It offers guidance on how to set up the classroom activities and photographs of the signs and hand formations. 

This book is helpful for beginners as it uses photographs with in depth instructions to help with learning, understanding and visualizing basic American Sign Language. It explains the history behind sign language and topics such as: handshapes, fingerspelling, and signing etiquette.

This book is helpful for both early intervention professionals and families looking to better understand the science behind hearing loss and hearing impairments. It talks about hearing tests and hearing devices, like hearing aids or cochlear implants. The book also mentions spoken language and social-emotional functions. 

ASHA is a professional association for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. This site contains numerous resources, including topic-specific guides, continuing education opportunities, ASHA publications, articles, an online store, and the latest research. ASHA Special Interest Groups were created to promote specific professional interests among members, develop communication and networking in diverse professional settings, identify and convey concerns and needs to the Association’s governance, and assist in policy formation.

The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources (FHSR) is a private organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all children affected by hearing and communication disorders through support, education, and advocacy. 

The Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (IL EHDI) program works to ensure that families of babies and children who are deaf or hard of hearing (dhh) receive appropriate and timely services. These services include hearing screening, diagnosis, early intervention (EI) and parent-to-parent support, provided through coordinated systems of care.  

This parent-driven, non-profit organization supports families with children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodologies.

An important part of the Early Intervention Team Guide to understanding the role of the Deaf Mentor as part of the Early Intervention team for families with children who have hearing loss.

This portion of the CDC Web site provides information for families and health professionals. The site contains statistics, research, and resources, including information about the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs and an online parent guide to infant hearing loss.